WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) will be honored tonight for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of America's youth by the National Urban League (NUL). Fattah will be presented with the Urban League's Congressional Leadership Award for Championing Access to Vital Resources for Disconnected Youth during the organization's 11th Annual Legislative Policy Conference in Washington.
"It is an honor to be recognized for this work, but more importantly to have a longstanding partner in the National Urban League whose commitment and advocacy to our youth-particularly in urban areas-is helping to shape a new generation of civic-minded individuals," Congressman Fattah said. "The future success and productivity of this country depends on our commitment to ensuring our youth have access to quality education, supportive mentoring relationships, and high-wage jobs."
Congressman Fattah, who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) and co-chair of the Congressional Urban Caucus, has been a longstanding champion for youth mentoring, college readiness and access, and other programs that improve the life chances of America's youth. He is the architect of GEAR UP, the nation's most successful college readiness program that has served more than 12 million youth since it was signed into law in 1994. Congressman Fattah has also introduced H.R. 3580, America's FOCUS Act, which would steer unprecedented sums of money towards youth mentoring, STEM education, and justice reinvestment initiatives. The National Urban League was one of the first organizations to endorse the bill last fall.
In addition to Fattah, three other individuals will be recognized by the National Urban League for their leadership and contributions towards NUL's mission. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Sherrilyn Ifill, Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Laura W. Murphy, director of the Washington Legislative Office of the American Civil Liberties Union will also be honored at NUL's inaugural Congressional Leadership Awards Reception.
SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah
